2nd Semester - Module 1

A nurse is caring for a patient who experienced a stroke 6 months ago. Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize to prevent complications?

• Encouraging the patient to stay in bed to avoid falls

• Implementing range of motion exercises

• Administering prophylactic antibiotics

• Restricting fluid intake to prevent aspiration

Answer explanation

Answer: B) Implementing range of motion exercises

Rationale: Range of motion exercises are crucial for patients with chronic stroke to prevent complications such as contractures, muscle atrophy, and deep vein thrombosis. Encouraging bed rest increases the risk of complications. Prophylactic antibiotics are not routinely given, and fluid restriction is not a standard practice for stroke patients unless specifically indicated.

A patient with ALS is having difficulty swallowing. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?

• Encourage the patient to eat only soft foods.

• Refer the patient to a speech-language pathologist

• Start enteral nutrition immediately

• Advise the patient to avoid liquids

Answer explanation

Answer: B) Refer the patient to a speech-language pathologist

Rationale: A speech-language pathologist can assess swallowing function and recommend appropriate interventions, which may include diet modifications, swallowing techniques, or alternative feeding methods if necessary.

A nurse is caring for a patient with MS experiencing fatigue. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?

• Encourage the patient to rest as much as possible

• Implement an energy conservation plan

• Increase the patient's caffeine intake

• Recommend high-intensity exercise

Answer explanation

Answer: Implement an energy conservation plan

Rationale: Energy conservation techniques help manage fatigue in MS patients by prioritizing activities and pacing throughout the day. Excessive rest can lead to deconditioning, caffeine is not a recommended treatment, and high-intensity exercise may exacerbate fatigue.

A nurse is educating a family about Huntington's disease. Which statement by the family indicates understanding?

• "The symptoms usually appear in childhood."

• "This disease is caused by a bacterial infection."

• "It's an inherited genetic disorder."

• "There's a vaccine available to prevent it."

Answer explanation

Answer: "It's an inherited genetic disorder."

Rationale: Huntington's disease is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene. It is not caused by infection, typically appears in adulthood, and there is no vaccine available.

A nurse is assessing a patient with myasthenia gravis. Which finding is most characteristic of this condition?

• Increased muscle strength with repeated use

• Constant muscle rigidity

• Involuntary muscle movements

• Muscle weakness that worsens throughout the day

Answer explanation

Answer: Muscle weakness that worsens throughout the day

Rationale: In MG, muscle weakness typically worsens with repeated use and improves with rest. This pattern of fatigue is a hallmark of the disease.

A nurse is teaching a patient newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease about medication management. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further education?

• "I should take my medication at the same time each day."

• "I may need to adjust my diet to manage medication side effects."

• "I should report any unusual side effects to my doctor."

• "It's okay to stop my medication if I feel better."

Answer explanation

Answer: "It's okay to stop my medication if I feel better."

Rationale: Patients with Parkinson's disease should not stop their medication without consulting their healthcare provider, as this can lead to severe symptoms and complications.

A patient with restless leg syndrome reports difficulty sleeping. Which non-pharmacological intervention should the nurse recommend first?

A) Consuming caffeine before bedtime B) Establishing a regular sleep schedule C) Increasing daytime napping D) Using heating pads on the legs at night

• Using heating pads on the legs at night

• Consuming caffeine before bedtime

• Increasing daytime napping

• Establishing a regular sleep schedule

Answer explanation

Answer: Establishing a regular sleep schedule

Rationale: A consistent sleep schedule can help manage RLS symptoms and improve overall sleep quality. Caffeine can exacerbate symptoms, excessive daytime napping can disrupt nighttime sleep, and heat may temporarily relieve symptoms but is not a primary intervention.

1. Which interventions are appropriate for a patient with chronic stroke? Select all that applies.

• • Encourage prolonged bed rest

• • Implement range of motion exercises

• • Provide speech therapy for aphasia

• • Monitor for signs of depression

• • Teach fall prevention strategies

Answer explanation

• Correct: Range of motion exercises, speech therapy, monitoring for depression, and fall prevention are all appropriate interventions for chronic stroke patients.

• Incorrect: Prolonged bed rest is not recommended as it can lead to complications like muscle atrophy and blood clots.

2. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Select all that apply. Which symptoms are commonly associated with ALS? Select all that applies.

• • Muscle weakness

• • Difficulty speaking

• • Difficulty swallowing

• • Memory loss

• • Muscle twitching

Answer explanation

• Correct: Muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, and muscle twitching are common symptoms of ALS.

• Incorrect: Memory loss is not typically associated with ALS, which primarily affects motor neurons.

4. Which statements about Huntington's disease are correct? Select all that apply.

• • It is an inherited genetic disorder

• • Symptoms typically appear in adulthood

• • It affects movement, cognition, and behavior

• • It is caused by a viral infection

• • There is currently no cure available

Answer explanation

• Correct: It's an inherited genetic disorder, typically appearing in adulthood, affecting movement, cognition, and behavior, with no current cure.

• Incorrect: Huntington's disease is not caused by a viral infection.